It is not a common practice among politicians but for opposition NDC politician, Michael Church, seeking consultation with his constituents is the only way to good governance.

Church, the candidate for St. John for the National Democratic Congress, has been consulting widely.  He continued on the path last Wednesday night when scores of residents from Gouyave, Clozier, Florida, Concord and other surrounding areas, participated in an open forum to air their concerns and make suggestions about what they expect under an NDC government.

Among the major concerns of residents were the poor state of the health services, the lack of educational opportunities and the downfall of the agricultural sector within their various communities.

 One elderly lady, who spoke at the forum held at the Gouyave Anglican Pastoral Center, won the sympathy of those in attendance when she shared a personal experience of hardship.

"By the time I reach down at the Gouyave health center to get medical attention, they say they already take thirty names and they not seeing no one else for the rest of the day. Every week it's the same thing," she said tearfully, recounting the numerous times she has had to travel all the way to St. George's to buy medication at exorbitant costs.

Church, who has better than even odds of beating NNP first-time candidate Fitzroy Bedeau in the upcoming general election, listened attentively to all the concerns.  As the Member of Parliament for St. John in a government headed by NDC leader Tillman Thomas, Church pledged that he'll be working to finding solutions to the problems of the west-coast parish.

He committed himself to seeking government assistance to upgrade the Gouyave health center into a mini hospital.

"We must recognize that what we have now is a 'sick-care' system which must be replaced with a health care system" Church lamented.

His plans as MP also include arranging for a resident doctor in Gouyave and another in Concord. He believes having a doctor in the south and north of the constituency will help to serve the people better.

The government's neglect of the agricultural sector was also a huge issue of debate at the evening's forum.

Church, who is also an agriculturist, blasted the government's position on the island's agricultural sector.

"The NDC's view of food security,'' Church said, "is a well-planned and developed agricultural economy that affords us, as a people, an opportunity to sell outside the region and get foreign exchange to buy some of the things we cannot produce and also to produce enough to feed ourselves.''

Revamping educational opportunities for the residents of St. John is also high on Church's agenda.  He intends to invest a lot of resources into early childhood education.

Church is troubled at the insufficient number of educational establishments catering to the needs of children who are five years or younger.

"I want to use education to train the minds of people,'' he said.  "Educational services can be linked to creating meaningful economic opportunities.''

Based on the comments, queries and the recommendations of the people of St. John, Church will be drafting a detailed document outlining plans for the growth and development of the constituency under an NDC administration.